Leadership

 

CLERGY

Hazzan Devorah Fick is the Spiritual Leader to Congregation Beth El. She grew up in Lansing, Michigan and served in the US Air Force as an officer for 7 years before changing course to answer a higher calling: service to Am Yisrael. Devorah was ordained as a Hazzan in January 2023 through the Cantorial program with ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, and continues to pursue Rabbinic Smicha through The Academy for Jewish Religion, New York. She also is a graduate of ALEPH's Hashpa'ah (Spiritual Directors) Graduate Program and is a member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI), the Association for Rabbis and Cantors of Jewish Renewal (OHALAH), and is a founding member of the Reform Cantors and Cantorial Soloists of Canada (RCCC). Devorah serves in the Greater Windsor Interfaith Community as a member of the Interfaith Group of Windsor and Essex County, the Military Institute of Windsor, and as a current member of the Board of Directors of Iona College in Windsor. Devorah brings to the Beth El community engaging, participatory, and musical Shabbat and Holiday services. An experienced teacher of tefillah, she loves preparing children and adults for b’nei mitzvah and empowering all in the community to learn and grow in their Jewish identity. She is a passionate student of Torah, committed to engaging our ancient texts so that they are relevant to our modern lives. As our Spiritual Leader, Devorah’s sincere prayer is to provide a warm, helpful, and caring presence, and to represent Beth El to the greater Windsor community. Devorah is married to Jim, and they are parents to 4 teenagers/young adults: Ethan, Ryan, Ellie, and Sophianna.

Spiritual Leader - Hazzan Devorah Fick

Hazzan Devorah Fick is the Spiritual Leader to Congregation Beth El. She grew up in Lansing, Michigan and served in the US Air Force as an officer for 7 years before changing course to answer a higher calling: service to Am Yisrael. Devorah was ordained as a Hazzan in January 2023 through the Cantorial program with ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, and continues to pursue Rabbinic Smicha through The Academy for Jewish Religion, New York. She also is a graduate of ALEPH’s Hashpa’ah (Spiritual Directors) Graduate Program and is a member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI), the Association for Rabbis and Cantors of Jewish Renewal (OHALAH), and is a founding member of the Reform Cantors and Cantorial Soloists of Canada (RCCC). Devorah serves in the Greater Windsor Interfaith Community as a member of the Interfaith Group of Windsor and Essex County, the Military Institute of Windsor, and as a current member of the Board of Directors of Iona College in Windsor. Devorah brings to the Beth El community engaging, participatory, and musical Shabbat and Holiday services. An experienced teacher of tefillah, she loves preparing children and adults for b’nei mitzvah and empowering all in the community to learn and grow in their Jewish identity. She is a passionate student of Torah, committed to engaging our ancient texts so that they are relevant to our modern lives. As our Spiritual Leader, Devorah’s sincere prayer is to provide a warm, helpful, and caring presence, and to represent Beth El to the greater Windsor community. Devorah is married to Jim, and they are parents to 4 teenagers/young adults: Ethan, Ryan, Ellie, and Sophianna.
Rabbi Jeffrey Ableser served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El from 1993 – 2018. He came to Windsor after serving pulpits in Toronto, Carmel, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. Rabbi Ableser is married to Judy, and has three adult children: Daniel, Rachel, and Jake. During his tenure at Beth El, Rabbi Ableser has seen children he named become Bnei Mitzvah, and welcomed children he consecrated under the chuppah.

Rabbi Emeritus Jeffrey Ableser

Rabbi Jeffrey Ableser served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El from 1993 – 2018. He came to Windsor after serving pulpits in Toronto, Carmel, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. Rabbi Ableser is married to Judy, and has three adult children: Daniel, Rachel, and Jake. During his tenure at Beth El, Rabbi Ableser has seen children he named become Bnei Mitzvah, and welcomed children he consecrated under the chuppah.

MUSICAL LEADERSHIP

Tracey Atin was born and raised in Toronto, the daughter of an artist/physician: Harvey and librarian/home-maker: Dorothy. She began singing as a child with the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus. In High School, she was lucky enough to have Ben Steinberg (Shalom Rav) as her music teacher. Later in life, after many adventures, she went on to get degrees in Drama (B.A), Education (BEd), English (M.A.) and Music (BMA). She has been married for 30 years to Robert Godden and they have a son. James, who is a musician and mensch, as well as Bob's daughter Rebecca, and son, Matt and 5 unique, fabulous grandchildren. She founded and helps to run a theatre company called Korda Artistic Productions where she is the executive director and toilet cleaner. She is a writer and teacher as well as performing a wide variety of music and theatre. She has sung with symphony orchestras and premiered Jewish music by Srul Irving Glick and Helen Greenberg. After Covid, she will return to singing with The Light of East Ensemble (Ladino, Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Armenian, Turkish and occasionally Yiddish music) and the Cedar Island Quintet (music from the 1920s). She is thrilled to be returning, after a three -year hiatus, to her family at Congregation Beth El, where she had been cantorial soloist for 30 years. She hopes that she will continue to learn and grow and share her singing with the wonderful Michael Ricketts and the community that she cherishes.

Cantorial Soloist Tracey Atin

Tracey Atin was born and raised in Toronto, the daughter of an artist/physician: Harvey and librarian/home-maker: Dorothy. She began singing as a child with the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus. In High School, she was lucky enough to have Ben Steinberg (Shalom Rav) as her music teacher. Later in life, after many adventures, she went on to get degrees in Drama (B.A), Education (BEd), English (M.A.) and Music (BMA). She has been married for 30 years to Robert Godden and they have a son. James, who is a musician and mensch, as well as Bob’s daughter Rebecca, and son, Matt and 5 unique, fabulous grandchildren. She founded and helps to run a theatre company called Korda Artistic Productions where she is the executive director and toilet cleaner. She is a writer and teacher as well as performing a wide variety of music and theatre. She has sung with symphony orchestras and premiered Jewish music by Srul Irving Glick and Helen Greenberg. After Covid, she will return to singing with The Light of East Ensemble (Ladino, Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Armenian, Turkish and occasionally Yiddish music) and the Cedar Island Quintet (music from the 1920s). She is thrilled to be returning, after a three -year hiatus, to her family at Congregation Beth El, where she had been cantorial soloist for 30 years. She hopes that she will continue to learn and grow and share her singing with the wonderful Michael Ricketts and the community that she cherishes.
Michael Ricketts holds a BMus in organ performance and an MA in Religious Studies. His career in religious music spans more than four decades in the Windsor area. He is especially pleased to be returning to Congregation Beth El to work with Cantorial Soloist Tracey Atin.

Accompanist Michael Ricketts

Michael Ricketts holds a BMus in organ performance and an MA in Religious Studies. His career in religious music spans more than four decades in the Windsor area. He is especially pleased to be returning to Congregation Beth El to work with Cantorial Soloist Tracey Atin.

ADMINISTRATION

A second generation member of Congregation Beth El; Sarah is happy to be part of the day-to day running of the Congregation. She is available to help with any administration or membership issues, or to help plan life cycle events.

Office Manager - Sarah Shklov

A second generation member of Congregation Beth El; Sarah is happy to be part of the day-to day running of the Congregation. She is available to help with any administration or membership issues, or to help plan life cycle events.

Office Assistant - Mary Zaltz

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Tepperman family has a long history with Beth El, which continues with Julie, her husband Noah and two children Lily and Benji. Julie is passionate about building and deepening community, spending time with her family and friends, travel, reading and food. Professionally, Julie is the Senior Director of Community Development for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Julie received her BA from the University of Maryland and received her MSW and Certificate in Jewish Communal Leadership from the University of Michigan. Julie is excited to work with the professional and volunteer leadership of Beth El and the Windsor Jewish community as we continue to deepen our connections and roots while growing in new directions.

President - Julie Tepperman

The Tepperman family has a long history with Beth El, which continues with Julie, her husband Noah and two children Lily and Benji. Julie is passionate about building and deepening community, spending time with her family and friends, travel, reading and food. Professionally, Julie is the Senior Director of Community Development for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Julie received her BA from the University of Maryland and received her MSW and Certificate in Jewish Communal Leadership from the University of Michigan. Julie is excited to work with the professional and volunteer leadership of Beth El and the Windsor Jewish community as we continue to deepen our connections and roots while growing in new directions.
Karen and her family moved to Windsor from Toronto in 2012. She has a background in software design and IT Management. Karen is passionate about community service and committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Among her many hobbies, she enjoys the challenge of escape rooms (with a near-perfect escape success rate!) and spending time with her husband Charles and two children, Stephanie and Philip.

Immediate Past President - Karen Rosen

Karen and her family moved to Windsor from Toronto in 2012. She has a background in software design and IT Management. Karen is passionate about community service and committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Among her many hobbies, she enjoys the challenge of escape rooms (with a near-perfect escape success rate!) and spending time with her husband Charles and two children, Stephanie and Philip.
Lawrence is a life long resident of Windsor, operating 2 businesses in the Essex County area. With his wife Jori, a teacher, they have a busy family with 2 daughters, Kylie and Marley, and a son Zachary.

VP & Past President - Lawrence Pazner

Lawrence is a life long resident of Windsor, operating 2 businesses in the Essex County area. With his wife Jori, a teacher, they have a busy family with 2 daughters, Kylie and Marley, and a son Zachary.
Treasurer - Steven Lutvak

Treasurer - Steven Lutvak

Director & Religious School Chair - Lesley Rubin-Klein

Membership Chair - Dr. Ron Polsky

Membership Chair - Dr. Ron Polsky